Heaven Bound

“I will gather all the nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. And I will enter into judgment with them there, on behalf of my people and my heritage Israel, because they have scattered them among the nations and have divided up my land.”  Joel 3:2

Dividing the Land

On August 21. 2017 there was a total eclipse that crossed the country from the Pacific to the Atlantic in an almost even swath cutting the country virtually in half. Interesting as the country has become increasingly divided both morally and politically since that time  leaving many to wonder just where we are headed if things continue as they are.

Its been the goal of politicians around the world (American politicians, in particular) to solve the middle East crisis during their term in office. It would be quite the coup if they could as no one so far has been able to provide a lasting solution to the volatile problems that effect the area (and the entire world by extension).  This April things could change  as there have been a number of reports in the last few days that indicate that the Trump team of Kushner and Greenblatt have come up with a plan that all parties can agree to. According to information leaked ahead of the actual roll out date of mid-April following Israeli elections the carrot that brings the Palestinians to the table is the promise of a Palestinian State with a divided Jerusalem as the capital. If this is true, the consequences of such an action would have serious and lasting consequences.

As you can see from the verse in Joel that God gives stern warning regarding the division of his land . Who knows if the moral and political division we are experiencing is not a direct result of the time and effort put in to advancing such a diabolical plan. If so, I can only imagine the result its actual implementation might bring.  A great earthquake? The eruption of Yellowstone, the super volcano or perhaps the New Madrid fault?

The physical dividing of our country in response to the physical dividing of His.

I don’t know but I think we would be remiss to think it could not happen. Interesting in 2024 there will be another eclipse that will cut across the American continent from the other direction creating a virtual x where the two courses cross. As it so happens, the X falls quite precisely in line with the New Madrid fault. I don’t think it could be any plainer.

Take a few moments to read this article from Unsealed.Org  titled “BREAKING: The Ultimate Deal is Ready.”  Click on the link below, if you will. I think you will find it of interest.

https://www.unsealed.org/2019/02

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee”. Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“For the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Cross

On Saturday February 2 a gigantic wooden cross washed a shore on a Ft. Lauderdale beach just outside a resort hotel. At 20 feet in size (and covered with barnacles) it made quite an impression on those who found it. It was not immediately known where it came from leading many to guess at it origins. Some thought it may have come up from South America where it had been washed in to the sea by a mighty storm while others thought perhaps it was the last vestiges of a ship somewhere that had previously met its doom. But all guessing aside, the mystery was soon solved when a woman by the name of Robin Stowe stepped forward to identify it.

According to Stowe the cross is most likely one erected in memory of her late brother Captain Richard Baran who disappeared on a solo hunting trip in the Hatteras Inlet off the North Carolina coast in 2016.  Constructed by a man named, Aaron Aaron – (and yes, his first name is the same as his last) the cross was placed by friends at the site of his last known camp in honor of his memory. Mr. Aaron was able to identify the cross in Florida as the one he had constructed for Mr. Baran by a series of distinctive marks made in the course of its construction. Stowe also thinks that the cross was most likely set adrift from the place it had been set when Hurricane Nate hit the North Carolina coast in October 2017  ….. finally coming to a rest 16 months later on a Florida beach where it was found.

It’s interesting the stir this cross created. Not only did crowds gather to see it but multiple news agencies carried the story across the nation and around the world. Some saw the cross as a divine sign of sorts; something spiritual for sure. Others saw it as a simple oddity of the kind that washes up on beaches across the world on any given day and nothing more. Others just gazed at in wonder not sure what to think.

I confess, I myself found the photos to be riveting; compelling.  This immense cross rolling up like some kind of lost treasure in the pounding surf. There was just something about it. And because I don’t believe in coincidence when it comes to the things of God I began to look at the story for clues that this might be a divine appointment of some kind and I have to tell you, I was not disappointed.

A Message in Names and Numbers

Sometimes there is something to be learned by looking at the finer details of an event and I have to tell you this one was replete with interesting details. So much so that in my humble opinion there was a definite reason for this particular cross to wash up on shore on this particular date. Let me go over some of the details.

1- The cross came to rest on a Florida beach 11 days after New York celebrated the right to kill babies up until the moment of birth by lighting the spire on top of the World Trade Center Tower pink. The number 11 in the Bible is significant as it is representative of the irresponsibility of law breaking, (God’s law)  disorder and judgment.

2- The search for Captain Richard Baran covered 33 miles over a period of 8 hours. Both numbers Biblically significant.

3- The name Baran according to Wikipedia means “Ram“. The name Richard means “ruler, King, powerful, strong”.

4- The cross was apparently dislodged from its place by Hurricane Nate. Nate is a derivative of the name Nathan which brings to mind the Prophet Nathan. It was Nathan in the book of 2 Samuel who reprimanded King David for his adultery with Bathsheba and the death of her husband Uriah.

5- Also of interest, the Cape off the East Coast of North Carolina (Hatteras) has long been known as the graveyard of the Atlantic for its danger to shipping.

6- The cross was afloat from October 2017 to February 2019 – a period of 16 months.

7- And last but not least, the name of the man who constructed the cross Mr. Aaron Aaron. Very interesting because it is a double name of the same …. and anything repeated is done for emphasis.  Aaron in the Bible was the older brother of Moses and the first high priest whose name means “lofty, exalted, high mountain”.

So what does this all mean? If anything? I can’t say exactly but I think the word associations are indicative that there is more to the story than just a barnacle encrusted cross washing up on a shore to the amusement and curiosity of local beachgoers.

So, perhaps it could be said like this.

Our nation which was once considered to be a Christian nation has lost sight of the cross. (Symbolized by the cross set adrift from where it once stood firm).

We are (for a number of reasons) due for judgment and headed for the graveyard as far as nations are concerned.

Hurricane Nate (Nathan) reprimands us for our adulterous ways as the cross is temporarily removed from the sight of a nation gone blind. A nation who ….

…. prefers the sacrifice of ones own children to the sacrifice of God (his own son) as symbolized by the sacrificial animal, the ram.

The cross constructed by Aaron Aaron (as in high priest) returns to shore after a period of approximately 16 months. (Sixteen is known as the number of love biblically speaking primarily so for the 16 characteristics of love listed in the great love chapter of the Bible 1 Corinthians 13:4-8). The cross of Jesus, our high Priest returning to the shores of our beloved country after 16 months for one reason and one reason only ….. love.

Providing this message to us …. a message on the beach …

In spite of our sin, in spite of our rejection, in spite of our rebellion. The cross of Jesus continues to reach out to us in love.

Which does not mean that we are not still headed for judgment. But rather that the cross of Christ is still available for those who would repent of their sin and come to faith in Christ. There is still time. But, not much.

And perhaps that is the real story of the cross that washed up on a beach that lazy afternoon of February 2.  Not a message in a bottle but rather a message from the Master himself. I don’t know about you but I’d kind of like to think so.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.” Luke 21:11

I read with interest this morning a post by Michael Snyder on his blog End of the American Dream titled “Apocalyptic Sounds in the Sky…“.  Apparently there have been a number of mystery booms and flashes of light occurring across the country with out any obvious explanation. And while I have not experienced this phenomenon myself I suspect that we have entered a time period when just about all of us would do well to expect the unexpected.

The Bible is quite clear that in the last days “there will be fearful events and great signs from heaven”. Is this what people are hearing? A precursor to these things? I really don’t know. But what we do know is that we have entered a period of time unlike any other in history; one that will culminate with the return of Jesus Christ. I pray that if you do not know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior that you will make that decision today. The world is unstable in more ways than one and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only way to be ready.

To read Mr. Snyder’s article click here.

And as always,

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

On Thursday June 14, 2012 President Obama penned these words on the face of a steel beam that would support the One World Trade Center as it rose from the ashes of what had once been the World Trade Center with its famous twin towers.  Defiantly written in red it was a bold statement that would be integrated in to the tower itself. An echo of the words spoken by Senator Tom Daschle from the Senate floor on September 12, 2001 as he quoted Isaiah 9:10 from the Bible.

“The bricks are fallen down, but we will rebuild with hewn stones: The sycamores are cut down but we will change them into cedars”.

Written extensively about by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn in The Harbinger the words that Senator Daschle meant for comfort for the nation were actually words of arrogance and defiance by the leaders of Israel in response to the judgment of God. Words that would bring additional judgment for a nation unrepentant of its sins. In this same way an increasingly defiant America has set herself up for a deeper and perhaps more permanent judgment for sins she has not in any way repented of … particularly the sin of abortion which is rapidly morphing in to infanticide.

Fast forward to January 22, 2019 when the spire from the World Trade Center was lit up in pink to celebrate the legalization of abortion up until birth. Ironically, it was at this very site that 11 unborn children were killed in the terror attack on September 11, 2001. And where people continue to come today to mourn for those very children.

In a post from my friend at Running From Babylon she explores the prophetic words by David Wilkerson some years back regarding the judgment coming to America for the sin of abortion. In a post titled “O New York, New York! What Have You Done?” she looks at recent events in light of Wilkerson’s visions and ponders how close we might be to the fulfillment of those words. If you are interested you may read it here.

Its been a number of years since President Obama penned those bold words in red. Words that on January 22, 2019 bled out into the night like some kind of bloodied syringe as the spire of  the One World Trade Center was lit up in pink for all to see. And while New York is not the only state that allows for abortion up through the 9th month it is the public declaration and celebration of (from a spot that should have led to personal and national repentance following 911) that will bring the greatest judgment of all.  For 911, if anything was a warning … a warning that has largely gone unheeded. May God have mercy on us all!

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters, whom they sacrificed to the idols of Canaan, and the land was desecrated by their blood.”  Psalm 106:38

I can’t remember another week quite like this one.  Not in my lifetime anyway. I’ve seen pictures from the holocaust before that I have had to turn away from ….. skeletal images of people with hollowed out eyes peering out at me from the vestiges of time as if I could have done something. But I tell them “I can’t help you, I wasn’t there”.  And I feel momentarily vindicated. But it is too late – I have seen their eyes and I remain guilty as accused.

This week we have been witness to something that will remain with us for a very long time and we will rue the day the City of New York was lit up pink in celebration of “Women’s Reproductive Rights” as it so euphemistically has been called. The cheering and clapping that accompanied the passage of a law that would allow for abortion up until the moment of birth will be turned to one of horror and mourning. God is not mocked. What a man sows that will he reap. For what we celebrate God deplores and this land once so abundantly blessed will be blessed no more. In fact, it most likely will not survive. At little more than 200 years old, our country (by world standards) is newly born. The infanticide we wish on children will likely come back on our own heads.

We cannot undo 53 million abortions. But what we can do is beg God for forgiveness, plead for his mercy and boldly stand up to those who are in opposition to life. No more sitting silently by. For the blood of the innocent calls out to God every day to be avenged and in doing so we will all be called to account. When that day comes (and it will) what will you (and I) have to say?

“I couldn’t help; I was busy; there was nothing that I could do“…  it was their choice not mine”.

There are many ways to be involved in standing for and protecting life. I don’t know what God would have you to do …. but do something! If nothing else, the collective voice of those who claim to be Christian and those who are prolife could make an enormous difference. So speak now. Speak for the children. For if we don’t speak for our children, we most certainly will weep for our children.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

*Above image courtesy of google images.

Check out the latest post from Unsealed.Org titled “Major Prophetic Milestones.” If this summary of events doesn’t get you excited about where we are on the prophetic calendar, I don’t know what will.

https://www.unsealed.org/2019/01/prophetic-milestones.html?m=1

If you are unsure of your salvation the time to do so is now. For we are dear friends very, very close to being out of time.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psslm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

*A big thank you to Unsealed.Org for their excellent work

**Hourglass image courtesy of Google Images

Psalm 119

As we enter the New Year, I can’t think of a more appropriate Psalm for the problems and challenges we face as believers than the one that sits at the center of the Bible. The 119th Psalm (also the longest chapter of the Bible) is all about the blessing that comes from following Gods word and the folly of those who scorn it.  At a time when just about everything we have known to be true and good has fallen in to question by the culture around us it is more important than ever that we establish in our hearts and minds that which God has already established through his word. And the fact that no court of law or change in public opinion can permanently move it, sway it or otherwise do away with it. For it is as eternally fixed in the heavens as the Creator himself.

Verse 23-24 has this to say:

“Though rulers sit together and slander me, your servant will mediate on your decrees. Your statutes are my delight; they are my counselors”. 

Some may wonder what we should do as the foundations around us are crumbling. First of all and most importantly is to know and meditate on Gods word. Remember his word is eternal, unchanging and forever fixed.  Therefore, it is a constant and reliable compass providing trustworthy counsel on which we can rely. It also provides freedom.

“I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought your precepts. I will speak of your statutes before kings and will not be put to shame.” Psalm 119: 45-46

There are a number of questions that currently plaque our culture. On the removal of God from the public forum over the past few decades culture has become increasingly rudderless and desperate to find new rules by which to live. Leaving us to ask (in its absence)– what rules ??? …. and by whom should they be established? A question most likely to be answered by those holding the most power ….. until the powerful become powerless and the newly powerful make new rules of their own.  A deadly cycle which perpetuates itself as the powerless unseat the powerful and on it goes.

“The arrogant mock me unmercifully, but I do not turn from your law. I remember, Lord, your ancient laws, and find comfort in them”. Psalm 119:51-52

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path”. Psalm 119:105

Yes, God’s word is ancient. It is not reliant upon the most recent study or what Hollywood celebrities or puffed up politicians think or do.  It is the guide by which we live. And is the light by which we walk. Try walking on a path in the dark and see how far you get without a light. The word of God is that light.

“You are righteous, Lord, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy …. Great peace have those who love your law and nothing can make them stumble” Psalm 119:137-138,165

In the days ahead, we would do well to keep these things in mind and put them in to practice knowing that though we are tested we are promised not just peace but great peace by holding on to the promises of God word. It makes me think of the wise men when they followed the star. In spite of the great distance they traveled and the inherent perils along the way; they kept their eyes fixed on the star ….. not looking to the left nor to the right (figuratively speaking) until they reached their destination. May we likewise do the same.

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was set before him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and is now seated at the right hand of God.” Hebrews 12:2

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus!  Cindy

“As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him, you also like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”  1 Peter 2:4,5

I came across an article from Signs and Seasons, a Christian group I belong to on Facebook that I thought was just excellent. Written by Rick Lange, it is titled: Pagans like bricks, God likes uncut stones.  An intriguing title don’t you think?  It certainly caught my eye and in reading, I was reminded how God is constantly at work in the life of a believer to shape him or her in to the image of Jesus Christ. So, without further adieu, I give you this excellent article for your edification and blessing. Just click on the link below and it should pop right up. Thank you and remember once again ….

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

https://m.facebook.com/groups/250462015323353?view=permalink&id=697658837270333

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“From His dwelling place He looks out on all the inhabitants of the earth” Psalm 33:14

I took this photo a couple of years ago when we were blessed to have the opportunity to travel through Glacier National Park in Montana. Without a doubt, it is some of the most spectacular scenery I have ever seen. Driving from the valley floor to the top is a nail biting experience (at least it was for me) as the two lane road winds higher and higher until finally reaching the top at a place called Heavens Peak. With a guard rail more suited for protecting small rodents than automobiles it was all I could do to keep from covering my eyes and missing the spectacular scenery that was just outside my window.

Just before reaching the top there was a pullout where several cars had stopped. Wondering what everyone was looking at we pulled our car over and there among the peaks and rocky crags was a group of mountain goats feeding in the lush green grass of late summer. You could not have asked for a more peaceful or pastoral scene. Yet just months before these same goats would have been almost impossible to spot as they surefootedly made their way across the glacial terrain foraging for food. Their coats blending perfectly with the newly fallen snow. Unlike other animals that migrate to lower land or hibernate to survive in the winter mountain goats tend to stay where they are at. Which makes them pretty incredible considering the harsh conditions that living on a mountain top would present.

I think about this every now and then. The many places and great variety of creatures that live out their lives unseen by human eyes. Which is fine with them and even beneficial. They need no applause, no affirmation, no impressive credentials – to be seen and valued by the one who created them is … quite simply put ….enough.

People on the other hand are different. We have a built in desire to be seen. So much so that we center our lives around stuff that will help us in our attempt to be seen and recognized by others. Clothes, houses, cars and certificates of accomplishment – things that shape us in to who we are or perhaps more accurately into the people we want others to believe that we are because no one wants to be unseen. To be unseen is unthinkable and as near to death as one can get while still living – which is why social media thrives. And for some reason today people are more desperate than ever (it seems) to be seen. A truth I believe which speaks deeply to the emptiness inside in spite of the fact that one may have 10,000 FB friends, twitter accounts or followers.

The Bible tells us that God sees every sparrow that falls. The common little sparrow of which there are billions. Yet God sees, knows and cares about each one. Listen to what Jesus said:

“Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the hairs of your head are numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows”. Matthew 10:29-31

I don’t know about you but I think people are desperately in need of this simple message – God sees and cares for you. Isn’t it possible in our “throw away” world that in spite of what social media would have us believe people feel more unseen and less valued than ever before?

I think so …and it’s something I’m thinking and praying about this week. Won’t you join me?

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Waiting and watching with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy

“So when all of these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near”. Luke 21:28

A few months ago, we purchased some property in the country. One of the things we liked most about it was the dense thicket of trees that had grown along an old creek bed in front of the house. Some of those trees are enormous Cottonwoods that have been growing in the rich river bottom soil for decades. And while the trees appear mighty and strong given the right conditions these mighty trees can and will come down. And that’s just what happened a couple of days ago.

As you can see from the photo above a large limb from one of the trees did indeed come down. I would say unexpectedly if my husband had not been warning me for some time that the weight of the limb on that tree was fast becoming more than it could support. I agreed but without the means to get up in to the tree to trim it we were basically just hoping for the best. It was a lovely limb that bowed out gracefully over the yard fanning out shade that would have been delightful for sitting or eating under. And although warned by my husband I felt sure it would last for at least one more season. But, I was wrong.

The other evening we were working in the yard under the trees when we heard a loud crack. My husband immediately knew it was the sound of a tree breaking but it was impossible to say which one ….. the weather was warm and sunny with nothing more than a light breeze blowing so we were not expecting any tree or branch to fall at that time.  Suddenly, there was another loud pop and this time we just ran …..and not a moment to soon as a second later that beautiful and graceful limb that we had so admired came crashing down to the ground with a mighty thud. Blessedly, no one was hurt and nothing was damaged.

I’ve been thinking about this the past couple of days. How the signs of the end of the age and the soon return of Jesus are everywhere.  Yet most refuse to believe and are unwilling to see what should be obvious. Yes, the tree is green.  Yes, it provides lovely  shade ……  but like the tree in the photo above it is simply a matter of time before the present age collapses beneath its own God rejecting weight.

And while the fall of the tree was sudden … what caused it to fall was not …. 

Yet most will say they never saw it coming because they refused to look any deeper than the leafy green appearance of the tree. How sad.

……………………………………………………

But who can say precisely ….when that mighty limb would fall. Was it one more leaf that sprouted …. that tipped the balance of it all?  Or perhaps, it was the stirring …. of a gentle summer breeze …. that finally brought that lofty one …. from the heights …..on to its knees.

“Pray for the peace of Jerusalem they shall prosper who love thee” Psalm 122:6

Watching and waiting with YOU for the soon return of Jesus! Cindy